ONLINE SHOPPING: REVOLVE CLOTHING

Shopping with Revolve at www.revolveclothing.com online was pure pleasure.  I spotted this skirt by Alexis a long time ago but they did not have my size. Luckily for me, Revolve have an option for shoppers to sign up for notifications where they notify you when your size becomes available.  

One day I woke up to an exciting email notifying me my size was in stock in just one piece.  I ordered the skirt without a second thought because it was love at first sight and it arrived within 4 days to my door.  Just in time for Per Lei Couture boutique opening.

ON STATEMENT NECKLACES

Statement necklaces are an absolute must in every woman's wardrobe.  Mine is by Marni and I wear it with absolutely everything, even to golf ;).

Truth to be told, I love everything Marni.  Marni necklaces are simply amazing with their perfect visual aesthetic.  Genius of design!

My advice for all fashionistas out there is: go to get yourself a Marni necklace :-). Best accessory investment ever made.

TREND: KIMONO

Outfit details:  Sunglasses by Victoria Beckham, top and cross body purse by Dolce & Gabbana.  Right: dress by Self Portrait, Marni statement necklace, Zara velvet kimono.

I love the new trend of kimonos.  To me it looks like a mini-abaya and is absolutely essential in my every day life as a throw-on that goes with any T-shirt and jeans, as well as chic cocktail dress.

Wearing kimono is especially relevant in the Middle East where it expats are encouraged to wear respectable clothing which covers the arms.

This long velvet kimono is from Zara and I absolutely love it!  You can also wear it while you sleep...just kidding!

DESIGNERS: MANISH ARORA

I love everything by Manish Arora.  This skirt is no exception.  It is simply divine!  

BAG WISH LIST: PAULA CADEMARTORI

It takes courage for designers to build an entire brand identity based on a distinctive style without a logo, yet this Brazilian Milan-based bag designer Paula Cademartori has found success, by creating a set of stylistically similar, rigid geometrical bags that all carry a buckle instead of going for the standard lettered signifier.

These bags were immediately an instant hit with the most famous fashionistas like Anna Dello Russo, Chiara Ferragni and Miroslava Duma.

Available at the Symphony boutique in Dubai Mall.  Definitely next on my wish list!

  

PER LEI COUTURE BOUTIQUE DOHA GRAND OPENING

This is what I wore for the Per Lei Couture Boutique Doha grand opening only for one minor detail - I didn't make it to the opening because of the heavy traffic.  

Since I had to catch a flight to Dubai later on my friend and I decided to have dinner at the W Hotel Doha instead.  Picture taken at the W Hotel Doha lobby.

Details of my outfit:

Top - Peter Pilotto

Bag - Benedetta Bruzziches

Skirt - Alexis

ALEXANDER WANG x H&M

Who doesn't like bargain shopping especially when it's another H&M designer collaboration.  Wang collection sold out quicker than iPhone 6 and if you were 10 minutes late for the store opening like yours truly the only thing you would see is empty shelves. Luckily, my good friend and neighbor (bless her) was already inside the store and managed to grab a few pieces I wanted to buy to wear in the gym. 

This is what I got and I love the effortless sporty chic style.  Can't wait to wear the black minimalistic strapless bikini on the beach and the crop tops to my gym sessions.

IT BAGS OF FALL 2014: LOUIS VUITTON'S PETITE MALLE

Louis Vuitton's Petite Malle is the latest celeb crush of the Fall 2014. 

CONTEMPORARY MIDDLE EASTERN ART AUCTION IN DOHA

Sotheby's will host a Doha Contemporary art auction today, 13th October 2014 at Katara International Art Centre.  

We have attended a preview of some of the best artworks by both Middle Eastern and International artists and were stunned by the collection that's been on display in Katara this week.  One of the showstopping pieces of the collection is Damien Hirst's work Tranquility (estimated at USD$1,000,000-1,500,000).

Last year Sotheby's Contemporary Art Doha sale saw participation from bidders around the world and achieved the highest total for a sale of Contemporary art in the Middle East. Record prices were established for nine artists, including the highest price for a work of art by a living Arab artist.

Tranquility.  Damien Hirst.

Tunisia's most renowned contemporary calligrapher Nja Mahdaoui created this work titled Ikhtilej over the years spanning 1995-2013.  It is estimated at USD$300,000-400,000.

Ikhtilej.  Nja Mahdaoui

Thaier Helal, a leading figure in contemporary Syrian art.  His work titled Political Map of the World is estimated at USD$50,000-70,000.

A Political Map of the World.  Thaier Helal

This year's sale showcases thrilling works by important artists of our time both established artists like Damien Hirst (UK), Tracey Emin (UK), Farhad Moshiri (Iranian), Ali Banisadr (Iranian) Ayman Baalbaki (Lebanese), Nabil Nahas (Lebanese), and exciting emerging artists like 25 year-old Lucien Smith (USA) with his instantly recognisable body of work. 

Forces of Nature.  Lucien Smith.

Famous UK artist Tracey Emin's neon I could have really loved you work represents international artists at the auction (estimated US$70,000-90,000).

I could have really loved you.  Tracey Emin.

Love this Lebanese artist Nabil Nahas's work Vesta (estimated at US$120,000-180,000).

My all-time favorite artist Ayman Baalbaki's work never fails to amaze me. Al Sharq Al Awsat is acrylic on printed fabric with copper sheet mounted in lightbox (estimated at US$60,000-80,000).  Beautiful!

Gorgeous fine jewelry is also on auction in Doha today, 13 October 2014.  It includes masterpieces by Cartier, Van Cleef and Arpels and Russian royalty's jewels.  The show-stopping piece on display is a 100-carat emerald-cut diamond. 

FASHION FORWARD DUBAI DAY 3 - MADIYAH AL SHARQI

Day 3 of the Fashion Forward showed Madiyah Al Sharqi SS15 collection, a quickly emerging Middle Eastern designer.

Madiyah Al Sharqi at Fashion Forward Season 4.  Getty Images.

Sheikha Madiyah Al Sharqi, daughter of the Ruler of Fujairah, U.A.E, HH Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, launched her eponymous label after graduating from the prestigious French fashion university, Esmod and interning under renowned Lebanese designer Abed Mahfouz.

Now into her third season the princess has proven that beyond her royal status is an eye for design that has quickly become a name to know, listed amongst the most promising emerging brands from the GCC region.

This season Madiyah Al Sharqi follows the signature influences of the 70’s by introducing elegant off-shoulder pieces, ruffles and billowing sleeves, drawing inspiration from her muse; Marie Antoinette.  Her Spring/Summer collection features an array of garments, from gowns to sleek separates by incorporating effortless silhouettes composed of a fresh color palette. Al Sharqi’s custom use of layering fabrics such as jacquards, crepe and lace continues to be the signature of the brand within this collection, luxuriated with the use of embellishments composed of unique crystals and carefully selected stones.

Here are our favorites from the catwalk of Madiya Al Sharqi's collection.  It was hard not to post all the photos from the collection.

Madiyah Al Sharqi.  Getty Images. 

Madiyah Al Sharqi. Getty Images

Madiyah Al Sharqi.  Getty Images.

Madiyah Al Sharqi.  Getty Images

Madiyah Al Sharqi.  Getty Images.

Madiyah Al Sharqi.  Getty Images

Madiyah Al Sharqi. Getty Images

I am a big fan of this designer.  My fellow Armenian Kim Kardashian too :)

FASHION FORWARD DUBAI - DAY 3 STREETSTYLE LOOKS

Givenchy loafers on one of Mukhi sisters from Beirut

Spotted beautiful Sophia Webster heels

FROW at the Emperor 1688

Day 3 of the Fashion Forward Dubai off the runway can be summarized in two words:  #allblackeverything and shoes.

It was great to catch up with the talented Emirati designer Rashid of @talleno1.  All black everything look rocks!  The hair was his best accessory.

I have always appreciated detail in everything I wear just like I love the scull detail on this Thomas Wylde blazer.

Happy to chat with my favorite Pakistani designer Hassan Yasin of HSY.  I featured his work on this blog 3 years ago after his show at Dubai Fashion week and I'm glad to finally meet him.  He told me about his new TV show which I'm very curious to watch.

 Bloggers' essentials.

Shoes!

Shoes!

Shoes!

Fashionistas

Love my Giambattista Valli pearl pumps from Level Shoe District and Zero + Maria Cornejo textured harem pants from Symphony boutique at the moment.

Blogger of Dubai Experiment Irina Aloyants in Giambattista Valli heels